Travel insurance covers more than just medical bills. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have issued advice emphasising that investing in the right insurance is a crucial part of any skiing holiday. With the credit crunch biting, increasing numbers of cash-strapped skiers are cutting down the costs of their skiing holidays by opting out of investing in travel insurance, a Post Office travel insurance survey has found. While medical costs are usually the first thing that springs to mind when considering ski cover, Post Office Travel Insurance…
Travel insurance covers more than just medical bills. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have issued advice emphasising that investing in the right insurance is a crucial part of any skiing holiday.
With the credit crunch biting, increasing numbers of cash-strapped skiers are cutting down the costs of their skiing holidays by opting out of investing in travel insurance, a Post Office travel insurance survey has found. While medical costs are usually the first thing that springs to mind when considering ski cover, Post Office Travel Insurance warns it’s important to remember the other costs involved that even cheap travel insurance protects against, like extreme weather protection and equipment damage.
Extreme weather conditions can often mean that reaching or leaving your destination is delayed, and if you are travelling with your own equipment, damage – including spoils from transit – can keep you from getting on the slopes
Couple this lack of cover with the risk of sky-high medical bills if a skier is injured on his or her trip, and you have a recipe for disaster. Mountain rescue and an air ambulance from abroad can cost anything from £8,000 to £50,000 depending on location. Worryingly, almost a quarter of holidaymakers are planning to travel without insurance this year, according to the Post Office Travel Insurance study.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have issued advice emphasising that investing in the right insurance is a crucial part of any skiing holiday. Other things to consider include:
– Make sure you use good quality equipment and protect yourself against injury. Know your own ability – it might not be a good idea to attempt a black run after two days on the beginner slopes!
– If you’re going to be skiing or snowboarding, make sure your insurance policy covers these activities (before you head off on your holiday read the small print of your policy to check)
– Remember, alcohol can affect you more quickly at high altitudes and most insurers won’t pay out if you injure yourself or others if you’ve been drinking alcohol
– Remember to take the contact details for your insurance company with you in order that you can contact them in the event of a medical emergency.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
